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Numerous studies scientists reveal the biochemical mechanisms responsible for acupuncture's pain killing effects, the use of acupuncture as an alternative treatment when drugs fail, and the success of no side effects after multiple and long term sessions of acupuncture. Read on for more details...www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1661-acupuncture-prevents-and-clears-migraines   Acupuncture treatments can reduce the number of hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause by as much as 36 percent, according to researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. The findings are published in the June issue of the journal Menopause.
For the full article, click here.  Research indicates that acupuncture effects the body in many different ways. A recent study investigated the effects of acupuncture on brain activity through MRI readings. This research revealed acupuncture points indicated for a disorder have an effect on that specific disorder-related areas of the brain, suggesting an "acupoint-brain-organ" pathway. This study also suggested that acupuncture relieves pain “by regulating the equilibrium of distributed pain-related central networks.”
For more findings and information from this research study, please click here: Full Article Reference: He, Tian, Wen Zhu, Si-Qi Du, Jing-Wen Yang, Fang Li, Bo-Feng Yang, Guang-Xia Shi, and Cun-Zhi Liu. "Neural mechanisms of acupuncture as revealed by fMRI studies." Autonomic Neuroscience (2015).  Inyo National Forrest Fall is a time for harvest. As nature does during this time, the movement of this season is that of contraction, moving inward and downward. It is a time to gather together on all levels, a time to store up food and plan for the approaching stillness of winter. “In fall, the body turns inward to prepare for winter, and Dryness often dominates the environment, which can prompt a dry cough, dry eyes, and dry skin. You can support your body by supplementing the Lung and promoting the production of body fluids with foods such as lilly bulb, white wood ear, pear, pumpkin, nuts and seeds, honey and soy milk. Sour foods, such as apple and lemon, can also be helpful in the preventing the loss of body fluids. -Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen Other food for thought: sourdough bread, olives, leeks, adzuki beans, rose hip tea, vinegar, grapefruit. In general, cook with less water and at a lower heat, for longer periods of time which internalizes ones focus; bake and sauté food which carry a warm fragrance; concentrated foods and roots thicken the blood for cooler weather. Here is a bit of a daring recipe for you to try, strengthening your body against the dryness of Fall. Let me know what you think! Black and White Wood Ear Tofu Makes 4 Servings Ingredients: -1/2 ounce (15 g) dried black wood ear -1/2 ounce (15 g) dried white wood ear -2 tbsp olive oil -2 cloves garlic -1 (15-19 ounce) package firm tofu, cut in 1 inch cubes -1 1/4 cups vegetable or chicken broth -1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves -Salt Condiments: black pepper, hot chili oil Directions: 1. Soak the black and white wood ear for 30 minutes in warm water where it will expand to two to five times its origional size. Rinse the wood ear, remove and discard the fibrous base, and cut into 1/4-inch strips. 2. Heat the oil in a medium-size pan over medium heat, then add the garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. 3. Add the wood ear and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes 4. Add the tofu, then the broth. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, covered for 5 minutes. 5. Add salt to taste, and enjoy!  Wood Ear Mushrooms  We are proud to announce the opening of the Community Style Acupuncture Clinic on Wednesdays beginning September 17th
Time to roll up your pant legs and shirt sleeves and enjoy affordable acupuncture treatments with your friends, family and community! Community Style Acupuncture is about making acupuncture accessible to more members of the community by keeping the prices low and treating in a group setting. Each person will still have a treatment that is specific to his or her own health presentation as with private acupuncture, but multiple people are getting treated at the same time. Reclining chairs are set up in a room as people relax during their acupuncture treatments for as long as they want to. Points are carefully chosen from the elbows to the fingers and knees to the toes depending on your health presentation. Blankets and pillows are provided but feel free to bring your own, and make this your time to relax. Please call or email if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule an appointment. See you there! Las Vegas Community Acupuncture will also be providing Community Style treatments throughout the Las Vegas and Henderson areas. Dates and locations will be posted on the website. If you have any interest in providing your company with on site Community Style Acupuncture, please contact the office at (702) 908-1287 or email at Amy@LVCommunityAcupuncture.com. To learn more about the history and mission of Community Style Acupuncture, I recommend the book Acupuncture is like Noodles: The Little Red (Cook) Book of Working Class Acpuncture by Lisa Rohleder. You can also visit their website at www.POCACOOP.com The following article is written by Jennifer Dubowsky, a licensed acupuncturist in Chicago. It is a great overview of some of the most important factors to be aware of when trying to conceive. Enjoy!
ABCs of Fertility: Acupuncture, Babies, Chinese Medicine by Jennifer Dubowsky Many women get pregnant easily, but it is unlikely that they are reading this article. For other couples, having a baby may be more difficult and therefore frustrating. If you are having difficulty, undoubtedly you want to optimize the likelihood of a pregnancy by practicing informed, healthy, fertile choices. In order to increase your chances of getting pregnant, you need to create an inviting environment for an embryo to implant and develop. In this article, I will go over: what to look for in a healthy menstrual cycle; diet suggestions; lifestyle tips to enhance fertility; and how acupuncture can have a powerful effect on the reproductive system, alone or in conjunction with Western medicine. In the second part of this series, I will explain how to effectively combine Western and Eastern medicine. These ideas, and the ones in Part 11, have suggestions that can be easily implemented. A Healthy Menstrual Cycle Awareness of your body always gives you power. Whether you are using Western medicine and manipulating your cycle with drugs or not using artificial means, it is essential to know what a healthy menstrual cycle looks like. An ideal cycle is regular; it lasts 28 days (25-35 days is a good range); it contains little PMS; most blood is bright red; and has no blood clots. But, there are also others things to look for. The time period before ovulation is your follicular phase. This is the phase in which follicles grow and one follicle becomes dominant. At ovulation time, the dominant follicle releases an egg. The follicular phase is considered the yin part of the cycle in Traditional Chinese Medicine. All women have cervical discharge throughout the month. The discharge is healthiest when it is clear to white, not any other color. The discharge that indicates fertility is called S-type and is that which begins approximately 6 days before ovulation with the rise of estrogen. This discharge will be clear, stretchy and have the consistency of raw egg white. A substantive discharge means increased fertility because it facilitates pathways for sperm to enter the uterus. This discharge is considered yin in nature. If you are lacking this type of cervical discharge, you might be yin deficient. (Later, in the Diet and Lifestyle Tips, note the tips that enhance yin). Drugs that dry up or interfere with cervical fluid are antihistamines, atropine, N-SAIDS, and antidepressants. Ovulation is the release of the egg. The egg lives for 6-12 hours after it is released. The sperm lives for up to 5 days. The prime time to start engaging in intercourse would be 4-5 days prior to ovulation, 48 hours being the optimal time. The phase after ovulation is the luteal phase. This phase is more yang in nature. (Check yang dietary suggestions and lifestyle tips). Once you begin to bleed, Traditional Chinese Medicine says that you are most deficient and are more vulnerable. To avoid depletion while you are bleeding, keep your feet warm, don’t walk around the house barefoot, and don’t swim in cold water. While you are bleeding and right after, it is important to nourish your blood (check Diet and Lifestyle Tips for foods that nourish your blood) Knowing your cycle allows you to encourage each phase to perform optimally. Diet Suggestions In general for men and women, eat organic foods when possible and avoid meats that have been treated with hormones or fish that contains mercury. Women need to eat food with essential fatty acids, e.g., soy products and wild caught salmon. Essential fatty acids are also found in non-hydrogenated cold pressed oils like flaxseed, winter vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, and all dark green vegetables. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. A Yale University School of Medicine study found that the risk of infertility was 55% higher for women drinking 1cup of coffee per day, 100% higher for women drinking 1 and 1 Ѕ – 3 cups, and 176% higher for those drinking more than 3 cups of coffee per day. Chinese medicine takes an energetic view of our bodies and our organs, meaning that bodily energy needs to move freely and stagnation causes problems. The energy of the kidney system is very important for reproduction. For men and women, foods that nourish their kidney essence include: chicken or duck and eggs from both; seeds and nuts; oysters; seaweed and algae. For women, certain foods help nourish your bodies during the different phases of your cycle. Foods that nourish Yin include: fruits such as raspberries, pineapples and grapes; vegetables such as asparagus and beans; adequate proteins, especially tofu and fish; and organ meats such as kidneys, brains and hearts. Avoid spicy, pungent foods. Foods that nourish Yang include: warming foods: ginger; ginger tea; beans; grains; and vegetables such as mustard greens, winter squash, cabbage and kale. Avoid ice cold drinks, ice cream and foods that are very cold. In general, it is a good idea to avoid ice water and ice cream during pregnancy attempts. Foods that nourish blood include: fruits such as blackberries, raspberries and grapes; organic meats and poultry; soup stock made from the bones of the meat and poultry; and vegetables such as turnips, spinach and dark, leafy greens. Lifestyle Tips For both men and women, try to get good amounts of sleep and limit stress. Of course, difficulties with fertility send stress skyrocketing but that makes it even more important to find ways to relieve stress. Meditation, yoga, relaxing with friends and any other calming activities that work for you are encouraged. For men, skip saunas, hot tubs and tight clothes, all of which heat up sperm. For women, enjoy the foods noted above, exercise as a stress reliever and to maintain health but don’t overdo it. Excessive exercise depletes Yin. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs have a long history of benefiting fertility in many ways. Benefits of Acupuncture Include:
It is advisable to begin acupuncture 3 months before attempting to get pregnant, but most women wait until they are actively trying to conceive. In my practice, I see women 2 times weekly until we get a positive pregnancy test result and 1 time weekly for the first trimester to reduce the risk of miscarriage. The main goal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is to keep the body in balance or to restore balance. This is one reason why TCM is so effective with fertility which depends on a balanced body. Jennifer Dubowsky, LAc, is a licensed acupuncturist with a practice in downtown Chicago, Illinois, since 2002. Dubowsky earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from University of Illinois in Chicago and her Master of Science degree in Oriental Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, Colorado. During her studies, she completed an internship at the Sino-Japanese Friendship Hospital in Beijing, China. Dubowsky has researched and written articles on Chinese medicine and has given talks on the topic. She maintains a popular blog about health and Chinese medicine at Acupuncture Blog Chicago.Adventures in Chinese Medicine is her first book. You can find her atwww.tcm007.com.  Did you know that acupuncture has been proven to help people who are trying to quit smoking? The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) designed a specific protocol to help treat addiction and assist with the relief of withdrawal symptoms. This acupuncture protocol addresses the nervous system and helps to reduce nicotine cravings. Acupuncture can also help to calm the restless mind often associated with quitting, and speed up the body’s ability to detoxify from the nicotine. At Las Vegas Community Acupuncture, we offer a comprehensive Smoking Cessation plan that combines Traditional Chinese Medicine, educational materials, helpful email tips and direct health care provider support. For more information please call (702) 907- 1287 or email us at LVCAFrontdesk@gmail.com
In the meantime, here is a little drink using food as medicine if you are trying to quit smoking: Mix 1/2 to 1 tsp of Cream of Tartar with a glass of orange juice every night for thirty days. This will help to detoxify the body from nicotine and replace the Potassium and Vitamin C that is leached from the body with cigarettes. This may even lessen your desire for cigarettes the next day. Enjoy! For more information on how acupuncture can help with addiction and withdrawal symptoms, please visit the NADA Website at www.acudetox.com.  January 31st marks the beginning of the fifteen-day celebration known as the Lunar New Year, or Chinese Spring Festival. Last year, the year of the Water Snake, was an introspective time of slow, fluid change. Just as a snake sheds it's skin, the past year was for learning to rid yourself of that which no longer serves you. Know that you may feel slightly more vulnerable in your new skin as we transition into the next year- the year of the Wood Horse. This transition is an outward propulsion from the previous year. The year of the Horse symbolizes a time to set goals and see them through. It is a time of getting one to where they want to go and of bounding forth, so to speak, like a horse carrying a rider to his destination. This is a time to “saddle up”- be brave in setting goals and dare to dream big. Wood is the element of action, generation and new growth. The Wood Horse is a great year to plan out what we want for our lives, know the steps to get there and make them happen.
There are many traditions associated with the fifteen-day celebration of the Lunar New Year. These include wearing red to bring luck, prosperity and protection, or eating sweets to sweeten the prospects of the next year. On the fifteenth day, the celebration draws to a close with the Lantern Festival on the first full moon of the year. Notably, one of the most festively entertaining and fun traditions that occurs throughout the celebration is the Lion Dance. The Lion Dance summons good luck and fortune, and is meant to scare evil sprits away from the upcoming year. The renowned Las Vegas Lohan School of Shaolin is performing all over the valley during these next few weeks. Please check them out if you get a chance and celebrate the New Year. You can find their schedule here: http://www.lvlohans.org/lion-dance Kung Hei Fat Choy!  Winter is the time of the year when when nature quiets down into a restful state of hibernation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is the ultimate yin of all of the seasons. With the coldness of winter and shorter days, our natural tendency is to rest more and become introspective, perhaps looking back on the events of the previous year. In the silence of winter, our sense of hearing becomes elevated. Have fun with this and pay a little more attention to the joyful sounds of family and friends gathering for the holidays. It is said that during winter, it is the noises of cooking that stimulate the appetite. To live in harmony with nature and to bring balance to the cold outdoors, we eat foods to warm the core of the body. These include warm and hearty soups, whole grains, roasted nuts, and dark beans. Below is a healthy and warming recipe that also tastes great. Enjoy!
Green, Red and White Minestroni Soup 4 Servings: 1&3/4 cup = 290 calories Ingredients: 2 tsp. olive oil 1 onion, chopped 2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary 1 (15 oz) can no-salt added cannellini beans, rinsed and drained 1 (14 oz) can no-salt added fire-roasted diced tomatoes 2 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth (add more if needed) 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper Directions: 1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and rosemary; cook, stirring until onion softens, 5 minutes. 2. Add beans, tomatoes, broth,, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Stir in kale and fettucini; return to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally until pasta and kale are tender, 12 minutes. Serve garnished with Parmesan and Pesto |
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